Venere Travel Blog - It's our business where you sleep!

Now, I battled with writing this post because if I tell you about all the secret bars in London, well they won’t be secrets anymore.

Any that won’t do, will it? So, if you promise not to tell anyone else about them, I’ll share with you the strangest and most secret drinking holes in London. Deal? OK then, here they are.

1. Cellar Door – Aldwych, Covent Garden.

What’s that? A public toilet that’s been turned into a bar? Yep, that’s right. But don’t worry, when they got rid of the (no doubt) grimy loos, they got rid of the stinky smell too. Instead, you’ve got yourself a luscious cabaret bar that’s decadent, sexy and a gorgeous little secret. Can’t find it? Can you see those steps that go down to nowhere? That’s it.

2. The Friendly Society – Wardour Street, Soho.

There’s something wonderfully seedy about the drinking hole under the lingerie shop in the middle of seedy Soho. This place is a gem. It really is as friendly as its name suggests, and you’ll be welcomed by a lovely landlady and staff who can pour a decent cocktail of three. It’s got a lively gay crowd, but then you’re in the middle of Soho, what did you expect? It’s worth noting that they close bang on 11pm, no matter what day of the week. Shame.

3. The Rake – Winchester Walk, Borough

Possibly the smallest bar in London, this is a tiny little place but somehow still find space for over 120 different beers and ales. Impressive. That said, it is expensive. You can pay up to £7 for a beer. That’s a lot of money for an ale in my opinion. (Yet, I have no problem spending that on a cocktail so whatever works for you). This place has got charm and it’s certainly novel, although I do hear bad things about the gent’s loos.

4. Vertigo 42 – Old Broad Street, Bank

For some of the best views in London, dress up and book ahead at Vertigo 42. The champagne bar located at Tower 42 can get a bit ‘suity’ given its City location. However, with a view like that out of the window, you won’t be looking at what people are wearing. Prices for bubbly start at £7.50 and that’s pretty darn reasonable.

5. Cork and Bottle – Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square

Considering the hideous tourist trap that Leicester Square is, this little wine bar is doing a great job of staying hidden. Not that I have anything against tourists, but this bar does stand out in a pool of generic restaurant chains. Grab a table (really, it’s not always packed) get some wine and cheese and then stay hidden until it gets warm again. Or, until they kick you out. Whichever is sooner.

Top 5 Hotel Bars in London:

• The Long Bar, Sanderson Hotel, Leicester Square
• The Gazebo, Landmark Hotel, Marylebone
  
• Light Bar, Hotel St. Martins Lane, Soho
• Blues Sports Bar, Millennium And Copthorne Hotel, Chelsea FC Stamford Bridge complex
  
• William’s Bar & Bistrot, St. James Hotel & Club, Westminster

Photo of Vertigo 42, London, UK, by Another Pint Please